Kansas football: Big 12 announcement on Fall sports should come soon
Kansas football and the rest of the Big 12 teams’ seasons are hanging in the balance, and an announcement from the conference should be coming soon.
Right now, the world of college football is in limbo. Two of the Power Five conferences (Big Ten and Pac-12) have decided that all Fall sports games will only be played within their teams’ given conference. With no word yet from the Big 12, the 2020 Kansas football season is still up in the air.
Per ESPN, we should be expecting some sort of statement from Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby before the end of July. At this point, it seems extremely likely that the Big 12 will follow the lead of the Big Ten and Pac-12 and keep competitions within the conference.
Given the Jayhawks’ non-conference football schedule, Kansas would lose out on games against New Hampshire, Coastal Carolina, and Boston College if the Big 12 follows the Big Ten and Pac-12. Losing those three games is bad news for Kansas football, considering those were their three best chances at wins this season according to ESPN’s FPI.
At the same time, some season is better than no season, even if that means sacrificing a few games. Every precaution should be taken to ensure the safety of players, coaches, staff, and fans, even if that decision means a reduction in games or a modified public attendance plan.
At this point though, teams and fans should prepare themselves for a total cancelation of the 2020 season. The NJCAA is expected to announce just that on Monday; however, they are shooting for a Spring season.
The Spring season plan opens a Pandora’s box of its own unique problems for NJCAA athletes though, most notably the fact that those wishing to transfer to an NCAA institution for the 2021 season will be in a tough situation.
Hot. All-time Bill Self era Jayhawks team. light
There’s no simple solution for a 2020 football season no matter how you slice it. At this point, the best-case scenario for Kansas football is probably a Big 12-only season, possibly in the Spring. With any luck, we’ll have some clarification for the 2020 season by the end of the month from Bowlsby.